davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

Mrs. Kleinpel, wife of Charles
Keinpell, editor of the Dakota Deutsche
Zeitung, has been visiting with her hus-
bands parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl
Keinpell, during last week and on
Saturday her husband called for her to
takelher back to her home in the West.
Mr.. Kleinpell is editing good readable
German paper at Sioux Falls, Dakota,
and is highly pleased with his venture.
His list of subscribers is growing. he
says, his articles are well selected and
well written and be is bound to succeed.
They started tor home on Monday.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

Died, in the German settlement,
May 10th, Christina, Oldest daughter Of
Casper Kirschbaum, of blood poison,
primarily caused by virulent or black
diphtheria, of which malady some of
Mr.. Kirschbaum's family had been suf-
fering for quite while. Deceased had
been under DIR. Cronin's care for some
| five or six weeks and was at times re-
ported better or on the mend, when
again she got back set, and every
time a little worse. The disease was
generally reported 10 be contagious
and for that reason Mr.. Kirschbaum
and his family were completely worn
out as the neighbors all dreaded to go
near them. A ten-year-old boy, Peter,
had preceded his sister to the grave
some three weeks before and the last
was buried on the 10th inst. The
bereaved family have the sympathy of
the whole community Mr.. Kirshbaum
was in town Saturday and we are happy
to report that the balance of the family
are over the diphtheria. so says Mr..
Kirschbaum. He also handed me the
following note for the public:
/ have lost two of my children, who
died of black diphtheria, under the
treatment of DR.. Cronin. The first one,
Peter, was too far gone before we called
on the doctor, and the second one,
Christina, was in my own opinion
doomed to die when she first was
taken with the disease, whereas she
could not open her mouth to allow of
inward application and taking or re-
moving thevirus. The other children are
now all over it, and | will say this, that
| am well satisfied that Dr. f. NJ Cronin
has been attentive night and day, and
has done all that was in human power
to save them, but in vain.
CASPER KIRSCHBAUM.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23
Teachers Attention.!

The Second Term of the Cassville
Normal Review School will open June
20, 1887, aud will continue ten weeks.
The fattering results attained last
summer insure prosperous and profit
able term this summer. The objects
of the school are, especially to fit
teachers for the county superintendent
examination for Third, Second and
First grade certificates. Persons ex-
pecting to attend the school will confer
favor by notifying the principal and
naming the studies they wish to pursue.
Good board can be obtained at from
$3.50 to $500 per week. Tuition Csc.
per week in advance Full term 10
weeks, Sc. 90.
For further information address:
CLYDE Il. SHowALTER,
Principal.
Cassville, Wis. 1m5-S
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23
Jewels OF Japan's Empress.

The jewels which were recently
made in Germany for the Empress Of
Japan are said to consist of a dia-
dem, necklace, and several brace
lets. The diadem contains six hum
dred diamonds, nine of large size.
The center stone weighs nine carats,
and is valued at $4,000 francs, while
the large stones are so mounted that
they can be separated and worn as
brooches. The necklace is a riviere
Of three double rows, containing 40
diamonds, all Of singular purity. The
bracelets, which are Of silver, are
ornamented with the various precious
stones now in vogue. - Jeweler's
Weekly.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

We are sorry to have to record the
death of another worthy citizen and
neighbor, Henry Schnitzler, who died
of consumption on the 10Th inst, and
was buried in the Catholic cemetery on
the goth inst. Rev. Leopold Drexel con-
Quoting the last sad rites. Deceased
came to this country in 1882, from
Blatzheim, Prussia. He leaves his
widow and four young children to
mourn the loss of husband and father.
He was farmer. by occupation and
was at the time of his death renter on
the Gov. Dewey farm. He had been
suffering from the dread disease, con-
sumption, for over year. that is, for a
year past he has often expressed the
firm conviction that he had but short
time TO stay with us. His sterling
qualities had won for him many friends.
who sincerely mourn the loss of true
friend and obliging neighbor-he died
passed away so to say, without a
struggle, calling to his wife to once
more repeat IN unison with him the
Lords prayer-that done, his soul fled
to realms above. Truly, if the Christian
religion is not always easy to live up to
it does at least smooth the pillow for the
last sleep. The funeral sermon of the
Rev. Father Drexel was well rendered
in the presence of a large concourse of
friends and neighbors who followed the
remains to their last resting place.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

After fine shower we had on the
18th the crops look fine, corn is coming
up and the pastures have assumed d
green hue, but the fruit prospect is again
blasted, apples and plums looked very
promising, but the hot weather has
made them drop off, so likewise are the
currants and gooseberries. There is
something wrong with the weather.
clerk.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23
The Mississippi river is still fallln

The Mississippi river is still falling
and the water is now scarcely nine feet
six inches above extreme low water
mark. A number of raft-pushers are
navigating the river, but the travel on
the river on boats is greatly on the de-
cline, and hence the few passenger
boats in the trade The Diamond 10
line has less boats than last year, and
so has the Packet company.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

he handed IN = petition for membership
in the Cassyille Mum Sociable, but when
informed that one of the principal rules
of the organization was that none of
the members were allowed to speak
unless asked to speak by the grand
sachem, and then his answer must be
yea or nay, and nothing more. j. X.
withdrew his petition.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23
Jim McGonigal has carried another
country

Jim McGonigal has carried another
point-he got new roof on the kitchen
of the Denniston House--it needed it.
Now, Jim, keep on in that line. the
house is we'll worth fixing up, and by
degrees you will get presentable house.
All that is wanted now are the blinds,
then roof and then good coat of
paint and the job is done.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23
CAssyILLE cnuRcHEs Asp Societies.

BAPTIST CHURCH. Rev. c. d. Stevens. pastor
Services every Sundar at II a. NJ, and Z P. n.
Sunday school at 10 a. N. Prayer Ihestiug overy
Thursday evening.
CATHOLIC CHURCH. Rev Leo Drexel pastor.
Services at A. N. and Il a. NJ on Sunday, and
at s a. N. on week days.
CATHOLIC KNIGHTS OF WISCONSIN. Meets
Semi-monthly-the first and third Sunday of
each month. Frank Dietrich, president; John
b. 0rtseheie, secretary.
CAssvILLE Lopez, No. sc, A. o. u W.-Meets
Cd and 4th Mondays each month. Alloys Grimm.
Master Workman; Herman Grimm Recorder.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

Mr.. Joseph Kistler, of McGregor,
Iowa, was in town on Friday last look
ing around for some lots whereon to
locate. Mr.. Kistler has sold out in
Iowa and says he wants to go to q free
country.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

j. X. Patterson, of Beetown, was
in town during the last week superin-
tending the digging and building of a
cellar under his building in the Den
niston block. During his sojourr here
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

If the number of persons seen on
the Denniston House porch after meal
time with toothpick in hand are an
index of the patronage of the house,
Jim must do good business
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

Professor Showalter and his wife
took trip to La Crosse on Friday last
The Professor is to return while Mrs.
Showalter will go ON visit to friends in
Minnesota.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

DR.. +. M. Cronin and lady are on a
visit to friends and relatives at Platte
vile.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

DR.. Eddy, dentist from Prairie du
CHEN, is sojourning at the Denniston
House attending to tooth carpentry in
general. He has apparently good run
of custom.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23
GassUille Locals.

No~~NN-~oOoNo~o-~~~~~~o~~ ~o~~~-~O~~~~0-~~o~~-o~~
Jap Shipton was here over Sunday
shaking hands with old friends.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

VIM. Otto Stephens returned from
Woonsocket, Dakota, few days ago
He reports crops fine in the West, and
business in Dakota booming.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

f. THE MAILS.-Riyer mail. for points north
and south on the Chicago Milwaukee & st. Paul
railway, closes az II NJ. and arrives at 80 Pm
Beetown mail closes at A. n. and arrives az
II 30 A. n. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Satur-
days Alloys GRIMM. Postmaster.
CONCERT HALL ASSOCIATION. Carl Kleinpell
president; j. Ii. c. Snecloce, secretary.
To THE PEOPLE: If you would have your town
prosper. patronZe your home merchants Yon
VIII ind out what they have for sale by consult
ing this page OF the HERALD.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-23

Athletic clubs are all the rage in
Eastern cities.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-07-20
Willamette University.
DEPARTMENTS.

DEPARTMENTS.
I-COllege OF liberal arts. II-College ot
medicine. DIR. Z. u. fraser, dean. III
College of law, Judge VIM. Ramsey dean
IV-Woman's college. Mrs. C. c. Hawley
dean. V-Conseryatory of music. z, NJ
Paryin, director. VI-tniversity academy
VH-Art department, Miss Marie Craig
instructor.
$50 Students. 400 Graduates
Thirty Teachers.
Day board for young men 81, 80 per week
Ladies' board in Woman's college hall
S2.50 with unfinished room. First term be-
gins September ). Catalogues and inforna.
ton sent free. Address
THOS. VAN SCOY, President, Salem, Or.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-07-20
$25 Reward.

The above reward will be paid for the
recovery of the body of Jens Larsen, aged
.. about fl. 10 Inches In height, about $50
lbs. in weight. reddish brown hair and
mustache drowned from his boat near
Sand Island. while fishing, about June %,
AUG. DANIEISON,
Secretary Scandinavian
Benevolent Association.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-07-20

10 you know that pain In the Iets
.asof Is IS; and that disease may have pro-
yressed far towards fatal termination witkout
exciting suspicion. Take DIR. ELINT'S
HEART REMEDY st once.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-07-20

The lumber manufacturers in
the northwest have scarcely had
time to let their saws cool.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-07-20
DISEASES OF
| WoREl.
WON EN

tOrded large experience In adapting remedies fOs
their cure, and
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-07-20
Remarks Of a Just Judge.

Justice Ito prosecuting witness)
Now state your case as briefly
as you can.
Prosecuting witness-1 will,
your honor. ] am a starioner, and
this morning this man came into
my house and says:
"'Have you got any black ink"
"'Yes,' l replied.
"'Jet black?'
eyes
"'Will it turn black after awhile.
or will it write black at once?
Writes black at once
"'Jet black?
"'Yes.'
"'YOu are lar anl with that,
your honor, be turned to walk out,
and when | put my hand on him
gently, intending to ask for all ex-
planation Of his curious conduct,
he wheeled around and knocked
me down."
Justice This is 4 rather inter
esting case. You are a statloner,
eh?"
Prosecuting witness-Yes, sir.
"'And have you really got any
black ink?"
"Yes, SIR"
"Black as soon as you write with
it?'
ayes, sir"
Justice latter a moments refiec-
tion)-You are a liar. The pris-
oner Is discharged. - Arkansa,c
TrureIer.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-07-20

&~~o q The Children. They are
SNSS especially liable to sud
den Colds, Coughs, Group, Whooping
Cough, etc. We guarantee Acker' s
English Remedy a positive cure. 1t
saves hours of anxious watching.
Sold by
J, ". Conn.
The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-07-20

Colorado has some 500 ranch
women, and not a dozen failures
have been reported among them.
The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10
ARCH.

Visitors to the Centennial at Phil
adelphia must not fail to see the beau-
tiful Arch constl nc ed by A. G. Yates
& Co. the largest Clothing House in
the City, at 9th and Chestnut SIS.
No expense has been spared to reu-
der his structure the finest of the kind
ever erected III Philadelphia ia, and be-
comes another evidence of the enter
prise and push of this popular firm.
Our readers are advised to call and
view this magnificent Arch, which is
illuminated every evening, and at the
same time to step inside and examine
their Fall and Winter StncA composed
of The best made Clothing in Philad'
elpl,ia.
The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10
WEDDING

The liveliest wedding Pennsgrove
has had for sometime occurred on
Thursday morning at Walters Sprin-
gers when Rev. II. &. Carman joined
in holy matrimOny Miss Fannie q,
Springer to Charles Z. Kidd. The
ceremony was performed at I O'Clock
in the morning in the presence ot the
brides parents and seyera, young
friends of the bride and groom, after
which breakfast was taken The hap
py twain marched to the station
amid showers of rice aud old shoes and
took the S.15 train for Portland, Conn.
where they will spend a week with
Mr.. Kidd's relatives. Several very
nice presents we're received by them.
They will hold a rece ton at MI.
Springer's On next Friday. We wish
them Il bon voyage over LIES troubled
sea together.
The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10

The canning factories throughout
the County have not hern able TO nn
on full time yet. The tomatoes crop
is Short because Of the rains during
August which kept the vines grown.
The price " tomatoes in market re
main igh. Sixty cent IA basket they
sold for on Monday. The prospect are
that the Gamers will make money on
those they d. put m.
Jericho chapel, butt at a cost of So
600, owes its building to Mrs. f. o.
Brocking WHO started Il Sunday School
there in FEBRUARY 1885. starting with
seven scholars. She las seen itgrow to
a school having seventy enrolled schol-
ars.
salem's schools don't begin until the
18th.
The wedding Of DR.. E. 8. Westcott
of Glassboro, and Miss Ecie Dureli,
al Woodstown Oh Thursday of last
week was quite on e%nlivening social af-
fair. Numerous friends and relat ives
were present.
The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10
eLorcEs TER COUNTY NOTES.

The September term of the GlouceS-
ter comfy court began in Woodbury.
on Tuesday. Foulteen cases were no
tiee.t for trial ii the Circuit court.
The Faunce fishing case in which 50
many gill fishermen are interested, in
volving as il does the right of the fish
ermen to fish in certain parts of the
Delaware. viii he argued this term.
Mpssrs. Grey and Moore will repre-
e Mi. Faunce, and Mr.. Clymer will
appear for Me Stctser.
Engineers are ut work on the new
railroad from ulaSsboro to Mulli3a
Hill. Grading vii be begun IN a few
Jays.
The Malaga camp meeting just
closed vas thc most successful i'll its
history. T|hirty-fiye n were
preached and thirty five conversions
reported.
Egg plants have proved profitable to
the growers this season. Wilson ID.
Gill, of Paulsbpro, realized $3.50 from
1900 hills.
Postmaster Charles Il. Abbott of
Woodbury., n. j., has forwarded his
resignation to Washington. lie Is one
Of the last Republicans IN south Jer-
sey holding "a Presidential ttiice to re-
the, and. it is said, has been ready
to resign Gor a year on more past, but
the failure of the Democrats TO agree
upon Il successor has prevented him
from dong 50. The office pays $500
year.
The largest Watermelon yet produced
in New Jersey This season wasraised on
tile farm of Elwood Aiankin, near
jefferson, in Gloucester Comfy. Ii
| was presented TO Editor i}al Der, OF the
Woodbury. Constitution, because he is
an authority on melons. 1t tipped tie
beam AT 63 pounds.
1t is estimated the rep preventative 50
a Boston commission house, who W a
| at Swedesboro a few weeks ago, pEr-
chased about $1,000 worth of of potatoes
WA. Flanagir, Of Woodbury., has
"a sun dial that was made M ITO.
The annual reunion of the survivors
+Gf the Twelfth Regiment New Jersey
Volunteers took place 1t Woodbury.
on Monday and drew visitors from all
If South Jersey. james 5. Kiger, OF
the Adjntant Generals Office, Tren-
ton, presided. The veterans were vel
coined by Mayor Watkins. Colonel
Potter, OF Bridgeton, was chosen regi-
meItal historian. Officers We're elect
rs follows: President, Joseph Bur
roughs; Recording Secretary, f. Blylel
Treasurer, Charles a, Weedemann;
| Executive Committee, IL. F. Chew,
! David Barton, II. W. Gaseill, Elwood
| Griscum and John Lamar.
The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10

Book News for September,
with portrait of ohn Burroughs
author and essayist, is now
ready. S cents, 30 cents a
year.
In this number appears the
first of a series of Studies Of
Prominent Contemporaneous
Novelists, by Mr.. Maurice
Thompson, a caustic yet dis
eliminating critic. He deals
with Count Tolstoi this time.
Whatever your view OF the
famous Russian, you will find
in Mr.. Thompson's article much
food for thought. So you will
also in a dozen other articles
in September Book News.
There are many new features
in this issue. The "W a n a
m a k e Descriptive Price
List of New Books Of course
May save you the price OF a
years subscription on a single
volume.
The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10

The cooler weather makes a change
Of clothing necessary. Look over the
assortment at D. D. Leaps before
leaving your town as each season he
not only keeps ierzcr ock but also
of better quality.
To Gnd your money worth OF goods
get a first class bargain. Tin fruit can
of our own make and warranted; wax
strings and sealine sax for tomato
cans; lemon squpezers, fruit s,rainers
and tunnels for filling fruit jars can be
had at ]. c. Reeds. Harmony st.
Last week we mentioned the large
leaf of Mrs. james Pedrick's Elephant
Ear plant. Pennsgroye can beat it.
Mrs. Clement Lanning has 4 plant
with a leaf on it 81 inches wide and
81 inches long.
The largest K0lb Gem water melons
noted this season were those raised by
Daniel V. Summerill ST. One hun
dred carried to the Cove on Monday
weighed over 81 pounds apiece. The
heaviest weighed so! pounds. The
Kolb Gems bring the best price this
season.
Il. j. Shoemaker, principal OF the
PennsgrOve public school, with Misses
Belle j. Alloway. and Hattie f. Ioft-
man, and Mrs. Annie Barber, as as
~sistants, beg III operation on the minds
of over two hundred scholars on Mon
day. The senool is 50 full i'll the phi
mary department that they have TO be
divided, half to attend in the moaning
and half in The ~afternoOT...
On Friday evening Of last week st.
Paul's monthly Church sociable, was
held at John NJ. Bevis's Slxiy-slX,
both old Il ID young, we've present AMI
All enjoyable tiule experience. After
the prize for pitching bean bags had
been carried off By Richard Layton, il.
all sat down to a table burdened with
choice fruits OF the season and plrtook
to THEN appetites' content.
In another column will be found an
advertisement of the Woodstown Fair.
In past years the Fair has grown great
ly III Importance and popularity, ana
Secretary Lawson informs us that the
coming Exhibition bids fair to be the
best ever held. During the three days
(Sept. ID, IA, aud 15) there will be
eleven running aud trotting races,
with purses ranging from $500 to $40.
The exhibit in the ladies' department
will be exceptionally large, As more
and larger premiums viii be given
than any previous Fair.
The Tam O'Shnter Club, of Philad-
elphia, held their first annual picnic ID
Pennsgrove last Saturday. The BOO
or 400 Scotch laddies and lassies
were present, mos. of thcm
wearing the Tam O'Shanter bon
net. One mar wore the conventional
plaid skirt and low shoes of the high
lands laddies, and the occasion was
enlivened y baepipe music. There
were foot races for men, WON u, boys
and girls, also Il sack ace and quot
pitching with Il prize for the best in
each contest. The members wife who
brought the most of her family receiv-
ed five pounds of tea
The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10
Married.

KIDn-SPRINGER-In Penns-
grove on September Sth, 1887, by the
Rev. r. G. Carmau. Chalie les 2. Kidd
and Miss FANNIE G. Springer, all of
P~enns@roYe.
WESCOTT- DUREIL. = At the
parsonage of the NJ. Z. CHURCH Woods,
town, Thursday, September fst by Rev.
e. III. Durell. Mr.. e, 5. Westcott,
NJ. d., Of Glassb1ro, to Mss Ecie b.
X. Du,eI. daughter of the officiating
clergyman.
SMETH--H ALMOND. - At the
Methodist Episcopal Parsonage, Swe-
desboro, August 25Jh, by Rev. w. A.
Massey, George Smitl, and Helen G..
Hammond, both of Grand Spruce near
SwedeshOro.
The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10
SHERIFF'S SALE
OF
REAL ESTATE

IN CHANCEBY OF NEW JERSEY.
Between J, Edgar Tyler. Compltr
Jos. Curiden and ux and ais DIS
BY yfrtGe of the above stated writ, "a me dir,
ected and delivered, ! VIII sell at Public Ven
due. in front of the Court House in the city of
Salem, n. j., on
SATURDAY, SEPT. II, 1857.
Retween tine hours OF twelve and five O'Clock in
The afternoon of said day, all The following de-
Seribed Farm, tract or piece Of land, situat in
the townshipof Upper Penns Neck, in the {, I'M
ty OF Salem, and bounded as follows Begin
ming at a stone Tor a corner In { he lin, Of j I'M
Burden's land. near the West corner of he
weeds. and is bounded by said woods, by The
public road leading from PennSgroye, past ia
cob Featheres's Joseph 10 bow and Wlli N
Rains TO Auburn, by lauds OF Joseph II. Co. h
ran, by The Morris land, by Joseph Doih0N s
woodland, by John a.. PetrrSunS land. by J,l n
Rorlen's land and others containing
- ACRES and twenty hundr5dths OF an Ac g
OF tillable land and woodland together, be q G
same more or less being the same premis 5
conveyed to the said Joseph urriden ana Eliza
beth Curriden by Josiah Dolbow, by deed dated
FEBRUARY 10, 1855, and intended to be recorded.
seized and tai IN IN execution as the proper
IS of Joseph Curriden aud ux. AID ais de
PENDANTS, at the suit OF j. Edgar Tyler, com
p%lainant, and to be sold by
CLINTON kELTY, Sheriff.
W L. HmLfARD, Solr.
ated SheTinis once. Salem. n. J., July 6slSs7.
The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10
nnARD oF AssEsSoRs.

The Salem County, B0atd Of ASSESS
ors met in the Court House 1t Salem
on Monday and organized by electing
Chas. n. Bell chairman, and Joseph ~.
Grey Secretary. After ascertaiuing
the total valuation in the County, the
County rate was fixed at 30 cents and
State school rate AZ - cents on tie
500. The following is the rateables
returned for the Several townships
The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-10
REATs nELAMARE.

The Wilmington Sunday Star last
Sunday said: James Moore of Salem
county having seen in last Sundays
Star notice Of a sun flower, grown by
Dir. Speck, Of Wilmington, sends to
our office ii sun flower which so far rs
heard from takes the cake. Its stalk
is II feet 81 inches in leugth and bears
a flower which measures 3 feet u inch
es in circumference. Who a beat
"a